POS103011
Innovation in Coffee Drying in Huila: Improving Quality and Efficiency of the Process
The department of Huila, recognized as one of the main coffee producers in Colombia, faces significant challenges related to coffee quality, particularly during the critical drying stage. Inadequate drying can lead to physical and sensory defects in the beans, affecting their commercial value and causing economic losses for coffee growers. To address these issues, new modular solar dryers have been designed and implemented that not only optimize the drying process but also ensure better control of environmental conditions. In test conditions, the new dryers demonstrated significantly shorter drying times, averaging 200 hours, representing a 55-hour reduction compared to the conventional control dryer. Moreover, during the drying process, the modular dryers proved to be more effective in maintaining optimal levels of humidity and temperature, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of the coffee produced. This advancement aims not only to enhance the competitiveness of local producers but also to promote sustainable practices within the coffee value chain in the region.
Materials and Design of the Dryers
The new modular solar dryers were designed with covers made of 3 mm thick solid and hollow polycarbonate, selected for their high durability, resistance to adverse weather conditions, and excellent thermal properties. These polymers allow for optimal transmission of solar radiation, improving energy capture and heat retention, thus increasing the efficiency of the drying process. Additionally, the modular nature of these dryers enables flexible capacity adaptation according to the producer's needs. Each module measures 2 meters long by 2 meters wide, offering a drying surface of 4 m², reaching a total area of 20 m² when assembling the five available modules.
Automated Humidity Removal System
The humidity removal system is fully automated and uses sensors to monitor temperature and humidity both inside the drying chamber and outside. When the system detects excess humidity, it activates an exhaust fan powered by solar energy, renewing the air and creating an ideal environment for drying without needing external energy sources. This fan is connected to a charge controller and a battery that stores energy, allowing the system to operate even at night, ensuring a continuous and efficient drying process. This innovation not only enhances the drying process but also utilizes resources effectively, offering a sustainable and autonomous solution for drying coffee in various climatic conditions.
COMUNIDAD
"COMUNIDAD - Combined Use of EGNSS and Copernicus Data to Develop Innovative Downstream Services for the Users from Chile and Colombia."
COMUNIDAD is a project funded by the European Union under the project call: HORIZON-EUSPA-2022-SPACE. It aims to form a stakeholder community dedicated to leveraging Copernicus data. The project focuses on the collaborative development of algorithms, services, and products tailored to local user needs, thereby enhancing the quality of Copernicus global products. The initiative will also explore the combined use of EGNSS (European Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and the Copernicus-related Platform in Chile and Colombia, with the potential for knowledge transfer to other relevant CELAC countries.
The COMUNIDAD project is set to establish a comprehensive framework for utilizing Copernicus data in agriculture, forestry, and rural development. This framework will emphasize the usage, development, testing, and evaluation of existing (CELAC customized) and new Copernicus downstream services, explicitly focusing on forestry in Chile and rural development in Colombia.
Background & Objectives
COMUNIDAD aims to develop, test, and implement a framework that will use Copernicus data from agriculture, forestry, and rural development in Chile and Colombia. It will develop solutions integrated into the COMUNIDAD platform (a complex platform providing services and methods utilising Copernicus and GEOSS data and services for final users in Chile and Colombia) with different sources of data. The COMUNIDAD Platform will form an important base for the use of EGNSS and the sharing of expertise with public and private entities from the target countries to introduce EU-space-based applications and to use Copernicus data to jointly develop algorithms, services and products, which serve local user needs.
The interaction with each Pilot Application in Chile and Colombia will feed long-term policy strategy development, aiming at bringing about the transition into the new paradigm of sustainable agriculture and forestry growth. The combined use of EGNSS and Copernicus to develop innovative downstream applications combining positing navigation and timing with Earth observation services will be an essential part of the COMUNIDAD development through pilot applications in Chile and Colombia with the direct involvement of regional end-users, decision-makers and support organisations.
This approach not only demonstrates the possibilities of potential transfer of the results and addresses potential barriers but also introduces added value for developing new markets, information sharing, open access, and transparency. The platform combines existing components and services for new target regions where the potential for utilization is expected. The COMUNIDAD project will address 4 main Scientific Objectives via 6 WPs. The project consortium is composed of 8 partners; from them 4 are from Chile and Colombia, and 4 are from the EU.
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Objectives
To shape a stakeholder community that will actively use the Copernicus data and services.
To develop algorithms, services, and/or products that serve local user needs and/or enhance Copernicus global product quality and establish combined use of EGNSS and Copernicus-related Platform in Chile and Colombia, with the potential to transfer the experiences to all relevant CELAC countries.
To establish a management framework that will use Copernicus data from agriculture and forestry particularly focusing on the usage, development, testing, and evaluation of both already existing (CELAC customised) and even completely new Copernicus downstream services in the downstream area, where the focus on forestry will be supported in Chile and focus on rural development in Colombia.
To organise the COMUNIDAD Platform which will facilitate access to Copernicus data and information for interested partners from Chile and Colombia and open the development of an “EU-CELAC Knowledge Area.”
In Colombia
In Colombia, one of the main goals is to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly in coffee-growing regions. By incorporating satellite data, the project offers tools that can improve resource management, enhance productivity, and enable more precise farming practices. These technologies can help monitor crop health, manage water use more efficiently, and optimize planting schedules, all while reducing environmental impacts.
The project involves local stakeholders, like the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales and the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC). These organizations are critical for adapting the satellite-based services to local conditions. The plan also includes developing a platform where satellite data can be accessed and used for decision-making, particularly in forestry and agriculture.
By testing and validating these tools through pilot projects, the COMUNIDAD project aims to support long-term, sustainable policies that will benefit not only the agricultural sector but also rural development efforts in both countries
Consortium
POS102004
Sustainable Coffee Processing Facility for Smallholders
A sustainable coffee processing facility has been designed to operate independently from the conventional electrical grid by utilizing photovoltaic (PV) systems. This design is particularly beneficial for smallholder coffee farms in Colombia, often located in remote, off-grid areas where access to reliable electricity is limited or non-existent. The energy generated by solar panels is stored in batteries for use during nighttime and can be used directly during the day. This renewable energy source powers all essential components of the coffee processing line, including the pulping machine, a screw conveyor that transports pulped coffee to the fermentation tank and later to the dryer after washing. An Ecomill LH300 coffee washer, along with the dryer's fan and a screw feeder that supplies biomass (coffee husks) to the burner, are all operated using the energy from the PV system. This approach not only ensures a consistent and uninterrupted coffee processing operation but also aligns with sustainable farming practices by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar-Powered Coffee Processing for Off-Grid Farms
The facility also integrates a sustainable water management system by using rainwater harvested and filtered through a series of tanks. The filtered water is then pumped into the processing stages, with the pump powered by the PV system. This is particularly advantageous for smallholders who may lack access to reliable water sources, ensuring a steady supply of clean water for coffee processing. The residual coffee pulp is composted in designated beds where the honeys from the washing process are also collected, enriching the compost with valuable nutrients. Any remaining wastewater is treated through a constructed wetland planted with vetiver grass, which naturally filters and purifies the water. This holistic approach to water and waste management not only minimizes environmental impact but also provides an additional source of organic fertilizer, enhancing soil fertility and supporting sustainable farming practices.
Sustainable Water and Waste Management in Coffee Processing
For smallholder coffee farmers in Colombia, who are often isolated from grid networks, the adoption of solar energy systems represents a significant opportunity to overcome the challenges posed by unreliable and expensive electricity supply. Many farms in rural Colombia experience low voltage levels that are insufficient for operating coffee processing equipment or suffer from frequent power outages, making consistent operation difficult. By leveraging the abundant solar resources available in Colombia, particularly in its coffee-growing regions, farmers can generate their own renewable energy, reducing costs and increasing autonomy. Solar energy systems not only enable smallholders to power their processing equipment effectively but also support the broader goals of economic resilience and environmental sustainability. This transition to renewable energy aligns with the strategies of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, which emphasizes reducing energy costs and environmental impact while enhancing the quality and sustainability of Colombian coffee. Through ongoing research and pilot projects, organizations like Cenicafé are working to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of solar-powered coffee processing, making it a feasible solution for even the most remote coffee farms.
POS103010
Design and evaluation of a Hybrid Solar Dryer for Coffee
96% of the 541000 coffee growing families rely on sun/solar drying to process the coffee. Nevertheless, in Colombia, the harvest seasons are coincident with the rainy seasons, not the most suitable condition to dry coffee using sun energy and natural convection.
Small mechanical coffee dryers emerged as a solution for these issues, however, these units are usually expensive and require grid connection to run the fan and LPG to heat the drying air. Therefore, their running costs and working principles could be difficult to achieve due to the isolated nature of some farms.
Due to these reasons, the wet commercialization of coffee has been growing rapidly in the country, yet, the farmers are still in disadvantage since the buying prices are lower. Hence, the idea of providing a sustainable solution through a hybrid solar dryer, that integrates mechanical drying powered by photovoltaic panels and uses residual biomass from the coffee processing as biofuel came as a solution to the problem.
The unit allows to work 24/7 mixing mechanical and solar drying, solar during the day and mechanical during the night and fully solar, reducing the drying times significantly while preserving the product's quality.
Biomass Usage
The dryer uses coffee trunks and other residual biomass as fuel. With an integrated heat exchanger, the unit uses the thermal energy from the combustion of biomass to heat the drying air.
PV System
The electricity demand from the fan is achieved by a PV system featuring 2 panels, one charge controller, inverter and a battery to store energy and provide supply during the nighttime.